Fusible stop for faucets



Aug. 23; 1938. w. SIEGERT 2,128,059

FUSIBLE STOP FOR FAUCETS Filed April s, 1936 lllllllllllllll lllllllll 1Patented Aug. 23, 1938 i UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FUSIBLE STOP FORFAUCETS Walter Siegert, Dubuque, Iowa, assignor to A. Y.

McDonald Mfg. 00., Dubuque, Iowa, a corporation of Iowa ApplicationApril 6, 1936, Serial No. 72,955

26 Claims. (01. 137162) The present invention relates to self closingterial having a low melting point, which matefaucets or similar valvemechanisms, and more rial is melted upon the application of heat to inparticular to novel operating means therefor. separate saidparts and topermit release of the Faucets of the self closing type have a pluhandleto close the valve of the faucet.

rality of uses and are particularly adapted for Other objects, features,capabilities and ad- 5 use in discharging gasoline, fuel oils, and thevantages are comprehended by the invention, as like from vehicle tanks,reservoirs and other will later appear and as are inherently possessedsimilar containers. This type of valve is northereby. mally closed bysuitable mechanism which oper- Referring to the drawing:

ates the valve to close the faucet. Discharge of Figure 1 is a view inside elevation of a faucet liquid therethrough is usually effected bymeans of the self closing type, disclosing novel operatof a removablewrench which operates to unseat ing mechanism made in accordance withthe the valve to permit the discharge of liquid therepresent invention;through. When this type of faucet is provided Figure 2 is an end View inelevation of the.

for discharging liquids from vehicle tanks and self closing faucet ofFigure 1 of the drawing, 35 the like, it is intended that the drivershould disclosing also in end elevation the novel operhold the faucetopen until the desired quantity at g m c a s Of Figure of liquid fromthe vehicle tank has been dis- Fi r 3 s a View in d elevation f novelcharged. In practice, however, these instrucstop means made inaccordance with the present tions are not followed, and in order to bereinvention and having part8 broken y to 20 lieved of continuouslyholding the valve in open disclose the construction thereof more indetail;

position, the driver secures the wrench or valve F e s a View in endelevation of the p operating means in an open position by either ea s oFigure 3 0f w l propping or tying it up. This is a vicious prac- Figures5 and 6 are views in side elevation 23 tice inasmuch as the valve beingsecured in open 0f o fi d forms f 01 5, t e Same having parts positiongreatly increases th fire hazard, h uld broken away to disclose theconstruction thereof a fire start, because even though the driver ismore in detail;

able to drive the truck away from the fire, a Figure is a front end ViewOf the p means stream of inflammable liquid would follow the of Figures5 and 6 of the drawing; :1 truck tank with serious consequences. Figure8 is a view in side elevation of still v It is therefore an object ofthe present invenanother form of stop means, with parts broken tion toprovide a novel operating means for holdaway to disclose theconstruction thereof more ing the valve open in a faucet of the selfclosing in detail;

type and which will be released in case a fire Figure 9 is .a front viewin elevation of the starts. stop means of Figure 8 of the drawing; 35

More particularly, the present invention in- Figure 10 is a view in sideelevation of still clucles as an object the idea of providing a novelanother form of stop means made in accordance operating means for thevalve of a faucet of the with the present invention;

self closing type which is adapted to be operated Figure 11 is a frontview in elevation of the for holding the valve in open position undernorstop means of Figure 10 of the drawing; and 40 mal conditions andwhich means is released upon Figure 12 is a fragmentary view incross-secthe application of heat in the event a fire starts tion takenin the plane represented by line l2-I2 in the vicinity ofv the faucet.of Figure '1 of the drawing.

The present invention also contemplates the Referring now more in detailto the drawing,

idea of providing novel stop means for a faucet novel operating meansmade in accordance with 45 of the self closing type adapted to cooperatewith the present invention is disclosed in association an operatinghandle or wrench for normally with a faucet 2 of the self closing type,this holding the wrench in an open position, which faucet including ahousing 4 having a fitting 6 stop means is $0 formed as to release thehandle adapted to be connected to a tank reservoir or upon theapplication of heat to the stop means. the like, and a discharge fitting8 whereby liquid 50 Still another object of the present invention may bedischarged from the tank and directed to is to provide novel stop meansfor an operating any suitable receptacle. Disposed within. the wrench orhandle of a faucet of the self closing housing 4 and controlling theflow of liquid type, which. stop means comprises a plurality of throughthe communicating passageways through .55 parts suitably securedtogether by fusible mathe housing 4 is a valve (not disclosed) which isprovided with a stem l around which is disposed a coil spring l2 seatingat one end with the valve and at the other end with the housing tonormally urge the Valve into closed position. The valve is normallyoperated to open the same by means of a rotatable spindle [4 whichextends laterally of the housing 4 and which is provided with anon-circular end whereby the same may be rotated by suitable operatingmechanism.

The operating mechanism disclosed in the present application comprises awrench l6 having a handle portion [8 at one end which may be readilygrasped by an operator and being provided with a locking lug portion 26at the other end thereof which is formed with stepped locking lugs 22 onthe inner face thereof. Intermediate the portions l8 and 28 of thewrench is an enlarged socket receiving portion 24 adapted to embrace thesocket member 26, this. socket 26 being formed with a non-circularopening adapted to embrace the non-circular end of the valve spindle l4and also being pivotally or rotatably mounted in the socket receivingportion 24 as by means of a rivet or the like 28, said rivet 28 allowsmember 20 to swing downwardly and glide over cone 32 in case member 46has fused.

As heretofore pointed out, the present invention relates to noveloperating means for faucets of the self closing type, which meansincludes a stop adapted to cooperate with the wrench M for holding thesame in valve opening position under normal conditions, but also adaptedto release the wrench to close the valve under abnormal conditions, asfor example, should a fire start adjacent the faucet with the evolutionof heat. In the present invention the stop means 30, disclosed inFigures. 1 and 2 of the drawing and more clearly shown in detail inFigures 3 and 4 of the drawing, comprises a Inulti-part lug in which oneof the parts 32 is provided with a threaded shank 34 which may bescrewed into a threaded lug 36 projecting from the housing 4 0f thefaucet, a lock nut 38 being provided to positively secure the shank 34within the lug 36. The part 32 is further provided with an oppositelydisposed portion provided with a cone forming surface 40, which surfaceis adapted to cooperate with and seat on a complementary surface 42defining a recess in another part 44 of the stop or lug assembly.Disposed between the surfaces 40 and 42 is fusible material 46 whichserves to connect the parts 32 and 44 together. This fusible materialmay be of any suitable metal alloy, shellac or the like, the materialbeing selected because of its low melting point and having the propertyof holding the parts 32 and 44 together until the application of heat,whereupon the same melts or fuses to permit release of the part 44 fromthe part 32. As shown in Figure 3 of the drawing, the part 44 isprovided with a locking shoulder 48 adapted to be engaged by any one ofthe lugs 22 of the looking lug portion of the wrench l6. It will benoted that the surfaces and 42 are so formed as to provide truncatedcone structures and that part 32 extends through and is fiush with theface of part "44, although it will be appreciated that surfaces 43 and42 may be formed to provide the same structure wherein the recess formedby surface 42 terminates in spaced relation to the outer face of part44.

When itis desired to open the valve in the faucet 2, the wrench l6,which is normally removed from association with the faucet 2, is graspedby the operator and the socket 26 placed over the end of the spindle I4.Inasmuch as the socket 26 is pivoted to the wrench l6, the spindle l4may be rotated without looking the part 20 of the wrench engaging thestop secured to the lug 36. After the spindle has been rotatedsufficiently to open the valve against the action of coil spring l2, thewrench "5 may be rotated about rivet 28 with respect to the socket 26whereby one of the lugs 22 engages shoulder 48 of the stop assembly.When the wrench is locked in its valve opening position, discharge ofliquid through the faucet is continuous and does not necessitate theimmediate and continued supervision of the operator. Should a fire startin the vicinity of the faucet 2 with the evolution of heat, such heat,in striking the stop assembly, would cause the fusible material to melt,permitting displacement of part 44 from part 32 of the stop means. Uponthe fusing of the material 46, the part 44 would become disengaged frompart 32, thereby releasing the handle l8 and permitting the closing ofthe valve under the action of coil spring l2.

It will be noted that the cooperating cone forming surfaces of parts 32and 44 facilitate displacement of part 44 with respect to part 32 whenthe material 46 is fused. It will also be noted that the axes of thecone forming surfaces are offset with respect to the axis of thethreaded shank 34, this eccentric relation of the surfaces in respect tothe axis of the threaded shank being desirable because it is necessaryto have some adjustment of the stop or lug to compensate for variationsin measurements of the machined component parts of the faucet.Therefore, in order to get the maximum lift of the valve off of itsseat, it is necessary in certain instances in assembling these faucetsto raise or lower the stop point by adjustment of the stop or lug.

Figures 5 and 6 disclose in detail modified constructions for stopassemblies adapted for use in the mechanism disclosed in Figures 1 and 2of the drawing. In Figure 5 the stop is of multipart construction, thepart 58 comprising a. threaded shank 52 and a portion 54 formed with acone forming surface 56, this portion 54 being received Within a recess58 of another part 60, the recess 58 being defined by a cone formingsurface complementary to surface 56. Parts 58 and 68 are normallysecured together by any suitable fusible material 62 and the threadedshank 52 of the stop mechanism is adapted to be received in a lug, suchas lug 36 of Figures 1 and 2 of the drawing. Part 66 is further formedwith a locking shoulder 84 engageable with any of the lugs 22 of thewrench l6.

The stop mechanism disclosed in Figure 6 of the drawing correspondsessentially to that of Figure 5 and is of multi-part constructioncomprising parts 66 and 68. Part 66 is formed with the threaded shankIll and with a recess defined by the cone forming'surface 12, whichrecess is adapted to receive portion 14 of part 68, which portion isprovided with a cone forming surface complementary to the cone formingsurface 12. As in the previous embodiments, parts 66 and 68 are normallysecured together by fusible material 16 and part 68 is further providedwith a locking shoulder 18.

Figures 8 and 9 disclose in detail still another modified constructionfor the stop assembly, the same including parts 80 and 82. Part 80comprises a threaded shank 84 to which at one end is secured a platemember 86.

Part 82 is formed with a locking shoulder 88 and has secured thereto aplate 90 corresponding essentially to plate 86. It will be noted thatplates 86 and 96 are secured to parts and 82 by the opposite abuttingends of said parts, and in accordance with the present invention theparts 80 and 82 are normally secured together by suitable fusiblematerial 92 disposed between the plates and the abutting ends of theparts. As in the previously disclosed embodiments, melting of thefusible material permits displacement of part 82 with respect to part 88to permit release of the wrench l6.

Figures 10 and 11 disclose still another modified construction for thestop assembly, the same comprising parts 94 and 96, which parts areprovided with cooperating extending plane surfaces secured together asby means of fusible material 98. In this embodiment, part 94 is providedwith the threaded shank IUIJ for securing the stop assembly to a lug,such as 36 of the faucet housing, and part 96 is provided with thelocking shoulder I02 adapted to cooperate with the wrench I6 ashereinbefore described, this locking shoulder having the slot IM forreceiving a screw driver or other tool whereby the stop assembly may bescrewed into seating relation with securing means, such as lug 36, andlocking nut 38. It will be noted that part 96 is eccentrically arrangedwith respect to part 94 in a similar manner to the arrangement shown inFigures 3 and 4. The advantages of such a construction have been setforth hereinbefore in our description of the embodiment disclosed insuch figures.

It is to be understood that the term cone forming surface or coneforming surfaces as used in the specification and claims is to beinterpreted broadly to include those surfaces which form in partsubstantially the surface of a cone (truncated cone structure) or theentire surface of a cone.

While I have herein described and upon the drawing shown illustrativeembodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that the inventionis not limited thereto but may comprehend other constructions,arrangements of parts, details and features without departing from thespirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. In valve mechanism, the combination of' a self closing faucet havinga valve operating spindle, a wrench comprising a socket memberattachable to said valve spindle and a handle for moving said socketmember as a unit therewith for operating said valve operating spindle toopen the valve, and means engageable by said wrench for holding saidhandle and socket in valve opening position under normal operatingconditions and to release the same for movement to valve closingposition upon application of heat, said means comprising a lug assemblyhaving at least two parts connected together by fusible material, theconnected surfaces of said parts being disposed in a plane substantiallyparallel with respect to the normal direction of movement of saidhandle.

2. In valve mechanism, the combination of a self closing faucet having avalve operating spindle, a wrench comprising a socket member attachableto said valve spindle and a handle for moving said socket member as aunit therewith for operating said valve operating spindle to open thevalve, and means engageable by said wrench for holding said handle andsocket in valve opening position under normal operating conditions andto release the same for movement to valve closing position uponapplication of heat, said means comprising a lug assembly having twoparts provided with complementary cone forming surfaces, said surface onone of said parts circumferentially embracing the other of saidsurfaces, and fusible material between said surfaces for holding saidparts together.

3. In valve mechanism, the combination of a self closing faucet having avalve operating spindle, a wrench comprising a socket member attachableto said valve spindle and a handle for moving said socket member as aunit therewith.

for operating said valve operating spindle to-open the valve, and meansengageable by said wrench for holding said handle and socket in valveopening position under normal operating conditions and to release thesame for movement to valve closing position upon application of heat,said means comprising a lug assembly having two parts, one of said partsbeing provided with a recess defined by a cone forming surface, theother of said parts having a projecting element defined by a coneforming surface fitting into said recess and being circumferentiallyembraced thereby, the fusible material between said surfaces for holdingsaid parts together.

4. In valve mechanism, the combination of a self closing faucet providedwith a housing and a valve operating spindle mounted therein, a

wrench comprising a socket member attachable to said valve spindle and ahandle pivotally connected to said member for movement normal to theaxis of said spindle, said handle and socket member being movable as aunit for operating said valve operating spindle to open the valve, saidhandle having a locking lug extending beyond said socket member, andmeans mounted on said housing and cooperating with said locking lug forholding said handle and socket in valve opening position under normaloperating conditions and to release the same for movement to valveclosing position upon application of heat,

said means comprising a lug assembly having a plurality of parts whereinsaid parts are connected together by fusible material.

5. In valve mechanism, the combination of a self closing faucet providedwith a housing and a valve operating spindle mounted therein, a wrenchcomprising a socket member attachable to said valve spindle and a handlepivotally connected to said member for movement normal to the axis ofsaid spindle, said handle and socket member being movable as a unit foroperating said valve operating spindle to open the valve, said handlehaving a locking lug extending beyond said socket member, and meansmounted on said housing and cooperating with said locking lug forholding said handle and socket in valve opening position under normaloperating conditions and to release the same for movement to valveclosing position upon application of heat, said means comprising atwo-part lug assembly connected together by fusible material, one ofsaid parts being secured to said housing and forming a support for theother of said parts, said other part normally cooperating with saidlocking lug.

6. In valve mechanism, the combination of a self closing faucetprovided. with a housing and a valve operating spindle mounted therein,a wrench comprising a socket member attachable to said valve spindle anda handle pivotally connected to said member for movement normal to theaxis of said spindle, said handle and socket member being movable as aunit for operating said valve operating spindle to open the valve, saidhandle having a locking lug extending beyond said socket member, andmeans mounted on said housing and cooperating with said locking lug forholding said handle and socket in valve opening position under normaloperating conditions and to release the same for movement to valveclosing position upon application of heat, said means comprising a lugassembly having at least two parts connected together by fusiblematerial, the connected surfaces of said parts being disposed in a planeinclined with respect to the normal direction of movement of saidhandle.

'7. In valve mechanism, the combination of a self closing faucetprovided with a housing and a valve operating spindle mounted therein, awrench comprising a socket member attachable to said valve spindle and ahandle pivotally connected to said member for movement normal to theaxis of said spindle, said handle and socket member being movable as aunit for operating said valve operating spindle to open the valve, saidhandle having a locking lug extending beyond said socket member, andmeans mounted on said housing and cooperating with said looking lug forholding said handle and socket in valve opening position under normaloperating conditions and to release the same for movement to valveclosing position upon application of heat, said means comprising a lugassembly having at least two parts connected together by fusiblematerial, the connected surfaces of said parts being disposed in a planesubstantially parallel with respect to the normal direction of movementof said handle.

8. In valve mechanism, the combination of a self closing faucet providedwith a housing and a valve operating spindle mounted therein, a wrenchcomprising .a socket member attachable to said valve spindle and ahandle pivotally connected to said member for movement normal to theaxis of said spindle, said handle and socket member being movable as. aunit for operating said valve operating spindle to open the valve, saidhandle having a locking lug extending beyond said socket member, andmeans mounted on said housing and cooperating with said locking lug forholding said handle and socket in valve opening position under normaloperating conditions and to release the same for movement to valveclosing position upon application of heat, said means. comprising a lugassembly having two parts provided with cone forming surfaces, andfusible material between said surfaces for holding said parts together.

9. In valve mechanism, the combination of a self closing faucet providedwith a housing and a valve operating spindle mounted therein, a wrenchcomprising a socket member attachable to said valve spindle and a handlepivotally connected to said member for movement normal to the axis ofsaid spindle, said handle and socket member being movable as a unit foroperating said valve operating spindle to open the valve, said handlehaving a locking lug extending beyond said socket member, and meansmounted on said housing and cooperating with said locking lug forholding said handle and socket in valve opening position under normaloperating conditions and to release the same for movement to valveclosing position upon application of heat, said means comprising a lugassembly having two parts, one of said parts being provided with arecess defined by a cone forming surface, the other of said parts havinga projecting element defined by a cone forming surface fitting into saidrecess, and fusible material between said surfaces for holding saidparts together.

10. In a valve mechanism, the combination of a self closing faucetprovided with a housing and a valve operating spindle mounted therein, awrench comprising a socket member attachable to said valve spindle and ahandle pivotally connected to said member for movement normal to theaxis of said spindle, said handle and socket member being movable as aunit for operating said valve operating spindle to open the valve, saidhandle having a locking lug extending beyond said socket member, andmeans mounted on said housing and cooperating with said locking lug forholding said handle and socket in valve opening position under normaloperating conditions and to release the same for movement to valveclosing position upon application of heat, said means comprising atwopart lug assembly having complementary plane surfaces connectedtogether by fusible material.

11. A lug assembly comprising a plurality of parts, one of said partshaving securing means and another of said parts having a lockingshoulder, said parts having complementary abutting surfaces and one ofsaid parts being circumferentially embraced by the other, and fusiblematerial between said surfaces for holding said parts together.

12. A lug assembly comprising a plurality of parts, one of said partshaving securing means and the other of said parts having a lockingshoulder, said parts having complementary inclined abutting surfaces andone of said parts being circumferentially embraced by the other, andfusible material between said surfaces for holding said parts together.

13. A lug assembly comprising a plurality of parts, one of said partshaving securing means and the other of said parts having a lockingshoulder extending in a plane substantially parallel to the axis of saidsecuring means, said parts having complementary plane surfacessubstantially normal to said locking shoulder and the axis of saidsecuring means, and fusible material between said surfaces for holdingsaid parts together.

14. A lug assembly comprising a plurality of parts, one of said partshaving securing means and the other of said parts having a lockingshoulder,

said parts being provided with complementary cone forming surfaces, oneof said surfaces circumferentially embracing the other of said surfaces,and fusible material between said surfaces for holding said partstogether.

15. A lug assembly comprising a plurality of 'a cone forming surface,the other of said parts being provided with a locking shoulder and arecess defined by a cone forming surface adapted to cooperate with andcircumferentially embrace said first-named surface, and fusible materialbetween said surfaces for holding said parts together.

16. A lug assembly comprising a plurality of parts, one of said partshaving securing means and an oppositely disposed recess defined by acone forming surface, the other of said parts being provided with alocking shoulder and a portion provided with a cone forming surfaceadapted to cooperate with and circumferentially embrace said first-namedsurface, and fusible material between said surfaces for holding saidparts together.

1'7. A lug assembly comprising a plurality of parts, one of said partshaving securing means and a plate fitted thereto, said plate having asurface disposed in substantially flush relation with the end of saidpart, the other of said parts having a locking shoulder and anadjacently disposed plate having a surface disposed in substantiallyflush relation with the end of said part, and fusible material betweensaid surfaces for holding said parts together.

18. A lug assembly comprising a plurality of parts, one of said partshaving securing means and the other of said parts having a lockingshoulder, said parts being provided with complementary cone formingsurfaces, fusible material between said surfaces for holding said partstogether, said locking shoulder being offset with respect to saidsecuring means, and means for adjustment of the securing means about itsaxis whereby the effective position of the locking shoulder can beadjusted.

19. A lug assembly comprising a plurality of parts, one of said partshaving securing means and the other of said parts having a lockingshoulder, said parts being provided with complementary cone formingsurfaces, fusible material between said surfaces for holding said partstogether, said locking shoulder being eccentrically disposed withrespect to the axis of said securing means, and means for adjustment ofthe securing means about its axis whereby the effective position of thelocking shoulder can be adjusted.

20. A lug assembly comprising a plurality of parts, one of said partshaving a threaded shank adjacent one end of the assembly and the otherof said parts having a locking shoulder adjacent the other end of theassembly and disposed to lie in a plane substantially parallel to theaxis of said assembly, said parts being provided with complementary coneforming surfaces, one of said parts circumferentially embracing theother, and fusible material between said surfaces for holding said partstogether.

21. A lug assembly comprising a plurality of parts, one of said partshaving securing means and the other of said parts having a lockingshoulder the portions thereof being eccentrically disposed with respectto the axis of said securing means, and means for adjustment of thesecuring means about its axis whereby the effective position of thelocking shoulder can be adjusted, said parts being provided withcomplementary cone forming surfaces and fusible material between saidsurfaces for holding said parts together.

22. A lug assembly comprising a plurality of parts one of said partshaving a threaded shank and the other of said parts having a lockingshoulder the portions thereof being eccentrically disposed with respectto the axis of said shank, and means for adjustment of the securingmeans about its axis whereby the effective position of the lockingshoulder can be adjusted, said parts being provided with complementarycone forming surfaces, and fusible material between said surfaces forholding said parts together.

23. In valve mechanism, the combination of a self closing faucet havinga valve operating spindle, a wrench comprising a socket memberattachable to said valve spindle and a handle for moving said socketmember as a unit therewith for operating said valve operating spindle toopen the valve, and means for holding said wrench in valve openingposition under normal operating conditions and to release the same formovement to valve closing position upon application of heat, said meanscomprising a multi-part lug assembly wherein said parts are connectedtogether by fusible material, one of said parts having securing meansand another of said parts having a locking shoulder eccentricallydisposed in respect to said securing means, and means for adjustment ofthe securing means about its axis whereby the effective position of thelocking shoulder can be adjusted.

24. In valve mechanism, the combination of a self closing faucet havinga valve operating spindle, a wrench comprising a socket memberattachable to said valve spindle and a handle for moving said socketmember as a unit therewith for operating said valve operating spindle toopen the valve, and means engageable with said wrench for holding thesame in valve opening position under normal operating conditions and torelease the same for movement to valve closing position upon applicationof heat, said means comprising a multi-part lug assembly wherein saidparts have cooperating complementary cone forming surfaces, one of saidsurfaces circumferentially embracing the other and said surfaces beingconnected together by fusible material, and one of said parts havingmeans having seating relation with said wrench.

25. In valve mechanism, the combination of a self closing faucet havinga valve operating spindle, a wrench comprising a socket memberattachable to said valve spindle and a handle for moving said socketmember as a unit therewith for operating said valve operating spindle toopen the valve, and means for holding said wrench in valve openingposition under normal operating conditions and. to release the same formovement to valve closing position upon application of heat, said meanscomprising a multi-part lug assembly wherein said parts have cooperatingcomplementary cone forming surfaces, one of said surfacescircumferentially embracing the other and said surfaces being connectedtogether by fusible material, one of said parts having securing meansand another of said parts having a locking shoulder eccentricallydisposed in respect to said securing means, and means for adjustment ofthe securing means about its axis whereby the effective position of thelocking shoulder can be adjusted.

26. In valve mechanism, the combination of a self closing faucet havinga valve operating spindle, a wrench comprising a socket memberattachable to said valve spindle and a handle for moving said socketmember as a unit therewith for operating said valve operating spindle toopen the valve, and means for holding said Wrench in valve openingposition under normal operating conditions and to release the same formovement to valve closing position upon application of heat, said meanscomprising a multi-part lug assembly wherein said parts have cooperatingcomplementary surfaces disposed at an angle to the movement of saidwrench and said surfaces being connected together by fusible material,one of said parts having securing means and another of said parts havinga locking shoulder eccentrically disposed in respect to said securingmeans, and means for adjustment of the securing means about its axiswhereby the effective position of the locking shoulder can be adjusted.

WALTER SIEGERT.

